JK Govt working with GoI on flood relief package: Drabu

‘Comprehensive rehabilitation, reconstruction program involves both private, public infrastructure’

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 09: Minister for Finance, Labor and Employment, Dr Haseeb Drabu Friday said the State Government is working on a flood relief and rehabilitation package with the Government of India.

He said the package is not event but a process, adding, “We are working on it that it would be a comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction program which will run for eight to 10 years involving both private and public infrastructure.

Responding to a point raised by legislator Ali Mohammad Sagar during Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly regarding flood relief package, Dr Drabu said the proposed package sought by previous government was only for “revenue loss” by government and not for the entire flood victims.

“The package submitted by the previous government had asked for Rs 21000 crore only for government losses. We have been working on the package anew for last six months and re-designing it. It won’t be restricted just to cash transfer but would be a sustainable process,” he said.

“In the previous package, there was no rehabilitation of traders, farmers and other sections of the society who were hit by floods. The package designed by our Government would give impetus for overall economic revival of the State. Its segments include different sectors including public, private and social infrastructures,” he added.

Dr Drabu further said that the government has already released the relief funds which came through NDRF and SDRF. “Flood victims have been transferred cash for reconstruction of houses while some of them are yet to receive it. The package will have something for them as well,” he added.

He said that although the NC-Congress government had submitted Rs 44000 crore loss-memo to government of India but after the World Bank’s assessment, it was reduced to around Rs 22000 crore and “When Niti Ayog made its calculations, it was reduced to Rs 11000 crore.”

“The previous government didn’t react then and kept mum on the matter,” he said.

The Minister said the state government has formulated a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package involving housing, trade, horticulture and agriculture sectors. He further stated that the proposed relief package involves rebuilding of public and private infrastructure damaged during September 2014 floods.